Mountain biking in Wellington

Wellington is made for mountain bikers. The hilly, bush-clad landscape makes for exhilarating riding, and with 350km of mountain biking trails across the Wellington region, adventure is never far away.

With Wellington's compact nature, within minutes of the city you could be riding on one of our many thrilling trails.

When you’re not zooming around the hills, make sure you experience Wellington’s world-class culinary scene or get your culture fix at one of the city’s many museums or galleries.

Check out some of Wellington's top mountain biking trails below, or for detailed maps, pics and information for hundreds of walking and mountain biking trails visit the Wellington Regional Trails website.

Wellington mountain bike parks and locations

Mount Victoria

Distance: 40km of trailsDifficulty: Easy to advanced

Just five minutes from the central city with incredible views of the harbour, Mount Victoria is great place to ride. With a range of rides from easy to expert, plus a skills area, you'll be spoilt for choice.

Wide trails circumnavigate the hill and are popular with walkers and a good option for beginner riders. For intermediate-advanced riders, the hill is littered with short, steep and technical trails.

If you’re there in the middle of the day, you’ll probably see a few Wellington workers getting in a few runs on world-class single track in their lunch break.

Keep an eye out for the colourful Victorian houses that line the hillside, and make sure you head to the Mount Victoria lookout for some spectacular 360 degree views of Wellington.

Makara Peak Mountain Biking Park

Distance: over 45km of single trackDifficulty: Easy to advanced

Makara Peak mountain bike park is in the suburb of Karori, around 7km from Wellington’s CBD and set in 250 hectares of regenerating native bush. With 45km of single track ranging from easy to expert, Makara Peak has become Wellington’s premier mountain biking destination.

Take the whole family for a cruise around Koru and Lazy Fern trails, check out the spectacular summit views via the suspension bridge, get air on Peak Flow or get your adrenaline pumping on the technical downhills of Vertigo and Trickle Falls.

Polhill Reserve

Distance: 15km of grade 3-4 single trackDifficulty: Intermediate

Tucked into Aro Valley, Polhill is just a couple of minutes’ ride from Wellington’s CBD. It’s a collection of tracks that give plenty of options for a fun hour or two or part of a longer adventure that connects with Wellington’s other tracks. Head up 'Transient', a two-way track with a pleasant gradient, before continuing on to reach the wind turbine, where you'll get incredible city views.

In colourful Aro Valley you will also find scrumptious bakeries, strong coffee and Garage Project craft brewery and bar – perfect for refuelling after an exhilarating bike ride.

Battle Hill Farm Forest Park

Distance: 2-10kmDifficulty: Intermediate to advanced

Located a half hour drive from central Wellington on Paekakariki Hill Road in Porirua, Battle Hill was the site of one of the last battles between Māori and early colonial forces in the region. Battle Hill Farm Forest Park showcases an interesting cross-section of local heritage and environmental restoration.

A haven for walking, horse riding, mountain biking, picnicking and camping, Battle Hill is also a sheep and cattle farm.

Hutt Valley

Just a short journey from Wellington City, the Hutt Valley offers plenty of exciting mountain bike tracks.

Off trail, explore the boutique shopping and coffee roasteries in Petone, and the beachside cafes and art galleries in Days Bay.

Waiu Park, Wainuiomata

Distance: 42km of tracksDifficulty: Easy to advanced

Built by mountain bikers for mountain bikers, new tracks are always being added to the Wainuiomata Trail Project.

More than 16km of high quality tracks, surrounded by a regenerating native environment and a significant wetland area, can be explored by all kinds of riders. The park includes a learn-to-ride track with skill stations, and other loops of increasing difficulty test riders of all abilities.

Beginners and families will enjoy the Wetlands Loop and intermediate to advanced riders can venture further up the hill for any number of flowing or more technical trails and loops.

A downhill only track can be accessed off the top of the Wainuiomata Hill Road and cross-country missions can also be launched from this location.

Rata Ridge is a favourite of pro riders. It’s a rolling, techy, twisty rootfest where you need to be on your game. Spoke magazine calls it “one of the best natural trails in Welly and New Zealand, without a doubt”.

Belmont Regional Park

Distance: Over 100km Difficulty: Intermediate to advanced

With its wide open spaces and challenging forest tracks, Belmont Regional Park draws mountain bikers from all over the region and beyond. The park offers historic trails, hill-country farmland and tricky forest tracks, whilst offering great views over the Lower Hutt valley, down to Wellington Harbour.

Belmont Regional Park is on top of the hill between the Hutt Valley and Porirua. It’s a large park with wide open spaces, many long trails and challenging forest tracks. More suited to intermediate and advanced riders, this park is perfect for a fun day on your bike.

Tours & gear

Cycle Science has bike hire, helmets and locks and all the gear for a comfy ride.